Koalas will be moved from an island in a lake at Hamilton following ongoing concerns about the availability of suitable food to sustain them during summer. Southern Grampians Council said there were believed to be between 26-28 koalas on the island in Lake Hamilton. The island has been heavily defoliated in recent times. The council said it would move the koalas on December 12-13 with the help of wildlife officers from Department of Environment Land Water and Planning. The koalas would be captured by experienced handlers and undergo an assessment process by specialist veterinarians on site, the council said. Its biodiversity officer Sherie Bain said that following the assessments of the koalas, healthy ones would be relocated to Claude Austin State Forest near Rocklands. Ms Bain said relocating the entire koala population would help the council determine the possible koala re-inhabitation rate of the island and give a chance for the island and the trees to rehabilitate.

Koalas to be relocated from island in Lake Hamilton

Koalas are to be relocated from an island in Lake Hamilton that has been defoliated.

Koalas will be moved from an island in a lake at Hamilton following ongoing concerns about the availability of suitable food to sustain them during summer.

Southern Grampians Council said there were believed to be between 26-28 koalas on the island in Lake Hamilton.

The island has been heavily defoliated in recent times.

The council said it would move the koalas on December 12-13 with the help of wildlife officers from Department of Environment Land Water and Planning.

The koalas would be captured by experienced handlers and undergo an assessment process by specialist veterinarians on site, the council said.

Its biodiversity officer Sherie Bain said that following the assessments of the koalas, healthy ones would be relocated to Claude Austin State Forest near Rocklands.

Ms Bain said relocating the entire koala population would help the council determine the possible koala re-inhabitation rate of the island and give a chance for the island and the trees to rehabilitate.